Legendary Broadway producer visits Kalamazoo

Oct. 4, 2005

KALAMAZOO--Philip Rose, who produced the original Broadway
version of "A Raisin in the Sun" and other landmark
productions, will conduct classes with theatre majors from Western
Michigan University and make a public presentation at Kalamazoo
College during a visit to Kalamazoo this week.

Rose will present a free public forum about his life in the
theatre at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, in Balch Playhouse on the campus
of Kalamazoo College. Also Friday, Rose will conduct classes
with theatre majors at WMU. The classes are not open to the public.

Rose's memoir, "You Can't Do That on Broadway,"
chronicles the challeges that he and artists like Lorraine Hansberry,
Sidney Poitier, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee faced in introducing
new voices to white audiences. After the Friday presentation
at Balch Playhouse, Rose will sign copies of his memoir.

Rose paved the way for many African-American performers and
playwrights working in New York City, and brought many now-famous
stories to public acclaim. As a producer, he helped to create
the original versions of "A Raisin in the Sun," "The
Owl and the Pussycat," "Purlie," "Purlie
Victorious," "Checkmates," and "Does A Tiger
Wear A Necktie?"

Support for Rose's visit to Kalamazoo was provided by the
Black Arts and Cultural Center of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College
and Western Michigan University. Dr. Von H. Washington, WMU professor
of theatre, is coordinating the visit.